Machine Operator I

Relativity Space•Long Beach, CA

26d•$27 - $40•Onsite

About The Position

Relativity Space is building rockets to serve today’s needs and tomorrow’s breakthroughs. The Terran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launch capacity. Commercial success with Terran R will unlock new opportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation. Joining Relativity means becoming part of something where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. You will be solving problems that haven’t been solved before, helping develop a rocket, a factory, and a business from the ground up. Collaboration across teams, shaping decisions, and seeing your work come to life in record time are key aspects of working here. Creativity and technical rigor go hand in hand, and your voice will help define the stories we’re writing together. This is an early-stage opportunity to leave your mark on the product, the process, and the culture, with Terran R being tangible and picking up momentum. The Stage Manufacturing team turns design into reality, owning the build of Terran R’s primary structures. This role involves building the systems to build the rocket, with engineers and technicians working side by side, with deep collaboration and real-time feedback, to shape how we build better and faster. With a manifest and a launch date, the team delivers on Terran R by solving challenges in real time, optimizing for scale, and constantly improving processes. As the vehicle evolves, so will the factory, with opportunities to apply automation, machine learning, and advanced technologies. What is built here sets the blueprint for the future of scaled launch.

Requirements

Approximately 2+ years of CNC machining experience in a production, job shop, or similar environment.
Hands-on experience with FANUC controls (running programs, setting offsets, basic troubleshooting).
Ability to read and understand manufacturing drawings and use basic measuring tools.
Familiarity with machining different materials (e.g., aluminum, steel, stainless).
Basic understanding of cutting tools, speeds and feeds, and workholding.
Ability to follow instructions, ask questions when unsure, and work effectively in a team.
High school diploma or GED.

Nice To Haves

Technical/vocational training in machining preferred.
Experience with simple setups (e.g., vices, soft jaws, basic fixtures) with minimal supervision.
Exposure to tight tolerances and surface finish requirements.
Familiarity with ISO 9001 / AS9100 or other quality systems is a plus.
Basic experience with CAM programs or DNC systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

Set up and operate CNC machines with FANUC controls to produce parts per drawings and work instructions.
Load and adjust tools, set work and tool offsets, and verify correct programs are loaded.
Read and interpret blueprints and basic GD&T symbols to understand part requirements.
Perform first-piece and in-process inspections using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and other basic measuring tools.
Monitor offsets, feeds, and speeds and make adjustments as needed to maintain dimensional conformity, required surface finish, and cycle-time efficiency.
Monitor machine operations, identify basic issues (tool wear, chatter, dimensional drift), and communicate problems to senior machinists or supervisors.